NPAC Blog Day 2 - Starting A Freelance Business
Here is my second post for the News Photographers Association of Canada. 
(First off, go to the bank and take out all your money. Then go buy a special gift for your loved ones and treat them to a night out because you’ll be going away for a while. Ok, kidding. But you’ll need the support of good friends and loved ones because starting out freelancing will be hell.) I’ve come to realize that taking photos is only one small facet of my daily routine as a new freelancer. The first thing I did was work out a budget projection for the year taking into account all my expected expenses. I gauged the different pricing schemes other photographers were using and set up my rates based on how I faired against them (this involved talking to different art directors I know and other photographers who were incredibly generous with their information – Thanks Chris Bolin.)
To keep track of the accounting, I’m using software called Billings, by Marketcircle. For Mac users, you will appreciate the intuitive design. It can track all my invoices, paid, unpaid, send estimates, track time based jobs, track expenses et cetera. There’s also an iPhone App coming out.
Show Me The Work
Every photographer should have some sort of online presence and gallery. I learned this the hard way. Build a site now even if you have a stable job and get your presence out there on the web. That way you will have time to build up your Search Engine Optimization (so google can find you). After doing a lot of research the factors in determining which way to go for a website were costs, the design and SEO. Of course, being a new freelancer I had to look at very economical price points. But I also had to make sure that the design showcased my work at the price point of my day rates. Yes, packaging can effect how much value people see in your work. But content is always supreme. Good design should be transparent and not take away from your great photographs. It came down to using either Photoshelter or Livebooks. I think that Photoshelter is a great service and extremely functional for a photographer. They have a great archiving and online sales aspect. But I needed that extra touch that suited my branding needs so I went with Livebooks on their cheaper template monthly plan. I’ll integrate Photoshelter with my Livebooks site later when I have more cash flow. It’s about $30-$40 per month for each service. BTW, they have a great deal for students. Something like $99/year. Stay Connected
My camera, my laptop, my iPhone. I’m ready to go anywhere and shoot any assignment. I can respond to text messages (which more of my clients are using), email and twitter account. Yes, my twitter account helps me to stay connected when there’s breaking news. This helped me stay on top of where I needed to go during the WCB hostage taking here in Edmonton. And by tethering my laptop with my iPhone I was transmitting photos throughout the day. And I play a little Civilization on my iPhone during the long down times. Be Nice
My advice to those of you starting out is to buy a drink for the next veteran photographer you meet. They’ve done a lot for our industry and will likely share some wise words with you. For all you veterans, buy dinner for the next rare intern photographer you meet. They are in this because they have the same passion and respect for our industry. BTW, I’m sorry Brett Gundlock for calling you half-a-photographer when we first met. I don’t remember this, and I’m sure I meant something other than what seems to be eternally scarred into your memory. And yes you totally beat me that day with the shot of the game winning touchdown with only 15 seconds left in the game. But not as bad as the other photographer who left the game early to file.
